Mahavinayak Temple, Chandikhol

On architectural and sculptural grounds, the IGNCA documentation dates the temple to the latter half of the 14th century, during Eastern Ganga rule. Live History India gives a longer traditional history, saying an earlier shrine is believed to go back to the 12th century, that the temple was renovated under the Gangas in the 14th century, and that it was partly restored in 1860 by a local landholder, Vaidyanatha Pandit. Wikipedia attributes the original foundation to the Keshari (Somavamshi) kings, but this is not supported by the architectural survey.

The surrounding hill appears in the 15th-century Odia Sarala Mahabharata, according to Live History India, and local tradition connects it with the Pandavas: Kunti is said to have offered golden champa flowers here. Live History India also notes that the shrine of Maa Chandi, which gave Chandikhol its name, was founded on the hill in the 1930s by the ascetic Bhairabananda Brahmachari.

Architecture and sacred features

The IGNCA record describes a temple of the Kalinga style facing east, with a pidha (stepped-roof) vimana over the sanctum and a pidha jagamohana (assembly hall) in front, both square in plan, saptaratha (seven-faceted) and built of khondalite stone in ashlar masonry. The jagamohana has four entrances, one on each side. The whole temple measures about 18.6 m by 11.75 m and about 9 m high.

The exterior carvings include dikpala figures in the corner facets, lions, scrollwork, royal and warrior figures, scenes of linga worship and nayikas. The IGNCA notes that much of the temple has since been plastered and colour-washed, hiding many of these carvings, and that most surviving sculptures are weathered.